With innovations in decking come advances in material and capability, but also a host of confusion. “Composite” seems to have become a catch-all term for non-natural wood decking, despite the multitude of options available to us. Composite and even Vinyl are legitimate terms tossed around, but PVC decking is the medium we get excited about, and ultimately what most of our clients land on.
What’s the difference?
Composite decking blends plastic polymers and wood pulp into a board, much like traditional lumber, which is then wrapped in polymer for weatherizing. Vinyl by contrast consists of plywood coated in a vinyl outer membrane. Both of these resulting planks include wood, which runs counter to many of our clients’ goal of avoiding natural elements for better durability.
PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride for tongue twister enthusiasts, features no wood whatsoever. It’s a 100% synthetic product, uniquely molded to result in a higher-strength and watertight deck plank to stand the test of time. Literally. Most PVC decks will outlast the homeowner’s time enjoying it.
What’s so great about PVC? Compared to wood or composite, PVC’s advantages are lengthy.
Photo courtesy of TimberTech
A half century of satisfaction
As we’ve mentioned, a PVC deck project tends to be a one-time-deal, with no need to replace or repair for at least 30 years, with TimberTech’s warranty extending to a whopping 50 years. There isn’t much infrastructure in a home or business that lasts five decades, without worry or arduous upkeep. Composite still out-performs wood in this arena with up to 25 years of life, but not without ongoing maintenance. A great way to add to a home’s resale value is with a deck the next family can enjoy all the way through their empty nester years.
Photo Courtesy of TimberTech
PVC does not, cannot, grow mold
While composite beats all-wood decking in the durability department, it isn’t totally without worry because of those organic fibers as previously noted. Unlike wood and composite, PVC does not collect moisture, whether it be rain, lawn sprinklers, or humidity, and because of that you will never experience rot. There are protective measures available for composite decking called “capping,” however the soft texture of the composite makes it inherently moisture resistant, not moisture proof, whereby moss, algae, and fungus can grow in the deck boards’ small grooves. PVC features no such grooves, and moisture rolls or evaporates right off the surface. No insect is interested in burrowing down in PVC either, both because there is no entry point, and because there is nothing to feed on. This assurance cannot be made with composite decking.
Photo Courtesy of TimberTech
Warp no more
Anyone with a wood deck will attest to the pristine beauty and craftsmanship on day one of ownership, and the buckling and splinting you’re bound to experience after one year’s worth of rain, heat, and deep freeze. Composite was seen as the answer to this flaw, and while its resilience is certainly superior to wood, it isn’t totally free from the swelling and shrinking of a humid midwestern summer, because it isn’t totally free from wood pulp either. PVC on the other hand maintains its shape despite the conditions, and can even stand up to a good pressure-washing after a storm blows in debris, or the kids go a little wild with the crayons.
Photo Courtesy of TimberTech
No shoes required
Very few of us imagine our dream deck as place to relax in a pair of sunglasses and thick soled shoes. Composite decking’s structure amounts to a hotter surface, making the path from the back door to the lawn a game akin to racing across hot coals. PVC deck boards run considerably cooler because its synthetic materials do not conduct heat the way natural wood does, or even wood fibers running throughout composite. Your kids’ little piggies are going to be considerably more comfortable with the PVC option, bare feet encouraged. But don’t forget those sunnies.
Photo Courtesy of TimberTech
PVC is pretty
These are words you don’t hear often, since we often associated PVC with industrial piping, but the range of colors, grains, and textures available will have you confusing the deck’s surface with custom redwood, luxurious mahogany, or rustic, reclaimed wood. Your aesthetic options are vast, and with it comes a lifetime of use without fading even in relentless sunlight, and the highest stain and scratch resistance in the market. Composite decking’s surface tends to be softer, therefore more prone to damage and stains from dragged furniture, hot coals, an overturned pot of chili, or a wayward lawn dart. PVC is also less likely to fade in the sun than composite decking, requiring no painting or staining after a severe, cloudless summer.
Photo Courtesy of TimberTech
Next generation friendly
Recyclable decking isn’t high on the list of recommendations for achieving a smaller carbon footprint, but the reality is not every resident keeps the previous homeowner’s deck layout. As backyards are redesigned, massive loads of composite decking is simply torn up and tossed in a landfill, since unlike PVC, it is not recyclable. Composite’s lifespan is shorter as well, so the frequency with which it needs to be replaced is higher. Not only is PVC a longer lasting choice, it’s a more sustainable option that can be reused and refashioned again and again, well past our lifetime.
While all decking materials are going to improve your outdoor experience, PVC time and again is our clients’ clear winner in terms of longevity, overall cost of ownership, and a lifetime of ease. Reach out today to get the conversation started.
